Global security today faces unprecedented challenges not seen since the Cold War. The convergence of great power competition, shifting patterns of extremism, and the proliferation of disruptive technologies risk creating a ‘polycrisis’ with potentially dire consequences for humanity. As conflicts intensify worldwide, the rules-based international order is under increasing strain, endangering peace and security. Absent coordinated global action, the stability and progress achieved over recent decades may be irrevocably eroded.
In this context, the Calleva-Airey Neave Global Security Seminar Series aims to deepen understanding of the underlying drivers of conflict and security, facilitating critical analysis and dialogue on the complex dynamics shaping contemporary global instability. The series will convene leading academics and policymakers to explore a wide array of security challenges, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cyber operations, hybrid threats, regional safe havens, and counter-terrorism.
Event series
The series of events will consist of public conversations with distinguished academics and policymakers from around the world.
All the events listed below will take place at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University from 5:00-6:30pm, unless otherwise stated.
Please check back for updates as speakers will be added regularly.
28 April 2025
Lord Hague of Richmond, Chancellor of the University of Oxford
View event
1 May 2025
Katherine Keneally, Director of Threat Analysis, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (US)
View event
12 May 2025
Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, KCMG, CBE, PC, FBA, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King’s College London
16 June 2025
Professor David Kilcullen FRGS, former soldier and diplomat, world-leading counterinsurgency and modern warfare expert
22 October 2025
Andrew Miller, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs under Biden
5 November 2025
Rachel Ellehuus, RUSI-Director General
People
Seminar series organisers
Funding
Funded by the Calleva Centre for Evolution and Human Science and the Airey Neave Trust.
It is hosted in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government.